ST MARYS CHURCH

Tower and nave 11th and 12th centuries, chancel and transepts 13th century. Refenestration in part 15th century. Restored 1863 by Ewan Christian. Flint, rubble, some re-used Roman brick and Caen stone dressings. Plain tiled roofs. Chancel with C19 vestry, transepts, nave and aisles, western tower.It is said to be on the site of the minster and nunnery of St Domneva, founded in 669. That was burnt by the Danes in 1011 and refounded as a Benedictine grange of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury. (See TR36SW2).

The Church of St Mary, Minster, dates from the early C12th [see plan -AO/LP/62/122]. There is Roman brick in the building. (2,3)

It is supposed that the nunnery of St Mildred founded c670 AD by Domneva or Ermenburga stood on the site now occupied by the parish church. In the following century, a larger monastery was built on a site which tradition associates with that of Minster Court [see TR 36SW 3). (4,5)

St Mary. A church on a monumental scale, fitting for the site of an abbey. Domneva was consecrated first Abbess of Minster in Thanet in 669. Her daughter, Mildred, became the most famous local saint after St Augustine, but when, early in the C11, the abbey had been deserted, her body and the abbey lands were both handed over to St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury (1027-30). Why the church was rebuilt so mightily is not adequately explained. Flint, rubble stone and Caen stone ashlar are the materials. The work of enlargement began at the E end of the S arcade 1150, continued steadily westwards, and then began again with the east parts, so that all was completed by c1230. [Full architectural description follows]. (8)

Minster Church and St Mildred. (9,10)

Short account of St Mary's Church, Thanet. (11)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (12,13)

TR 311643 The mother church of Thanet. Part of the present building dates back to pre-Norman times. (14)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1960

( 2) Royal Archaeological Institute The Archaeological Journal

A W Clapham 86, 1929 Page(s)268-70

( 3) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

MHLG (2067/11/A Sept 1960) 22

( 4) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent

Canon G M Livett 42, 1930 Page(s)225-6

( 5) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent

12, 1878 Page(s)167-8

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

F1 ASP 02-DEC-63

( 7) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) Dist of Thanet Kent 1986 8-9

( 8) by John Newman 1983 North east and east Kent

The Buildings of England Page(s)393-5

( 9) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent

12, 1878 Page(s)167-76

(10) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent

Canon R C Jenkins 12, 1878 Page(s)177-196

(11) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent